Independent panel can help restore pride in the police

OUR police have had a terrible week.

There is mounting evidence that officers lied about Andrew Mitchell in the “Plebgate” scandal [EPA]

Chris Fay’s allegation that a gun was held to his head to stop him investigating a VIP paedophile ring at Elm Guest House is shocking.

This comes on top of mounting evidence that officers lied about Andrew Mitchell in the “Plebgate” scandal, that they covered up events at Hillsborough and that they not only gave Jimmy Savile carte blanche to commit his disgusting crimes but worked to protect him. Just who else did they “look after”?

A free society cannot operate without a police force that merits our trust but after a litany of wrongdoings that faith has been terribly eroded.

Chris Fay’s allegation that a gun was held to his head to stop him investigating a VIP paedophile ring at Elm Guest House is shocking

So who is it that investigates these breaches? Why, it’s the police themselves and every time they do so they find themselves innocent. This won’t do.

It is time to establish a proper, independent body that holds the service to account and that is not riddled with conflicting interests.

The sadness is that Britain once had a fine and noble tradition of policing, with great trust placed in its men and women.